Decorating a cake takes a steady hand and a creative sense of three-dimensional style. A Black Forest cake in particular can be beautifully decorated for any occassion, as long as the baker takes a few ideas into consideration before getting started. Some traditional decorations for a Black Forest cake make dessert a real treat. See the steps below for some tips and enjoy the impressed looks when you present your work.
Instructions
1. Determine how large your cake will be and plan your ingredient list accordingly. Individual Black Forest cupcakes will require at least one decorative cherry on top and about a teaspoon of chocolate shavings. Round cakes of typical sizes can handle decorative ingredients in larger amounts.
2. Know that a Black Forest cake contains layers of rich and delicious chocolate cake separated by whipped cream and cherries, or in some recipes, buttercream frosting or some variation of chocolate frosting. Determine just how sweet you would like your final product to be before getting started with your decorations.
3. Choose whipped cream to frost the outside of the cake if you prefer a less sweet cake. Using whipped cream instead of a sugar-laden traditional frosting will make sure that the cake is not overly sweet. A little sugar in the whipped cream will add flavor and interest if you find the flavor of plain whipped cream uninteresting.
4. Go for rich chocolate or white frosting on the outside if your sweet tooth desires a more sugary kick. White frosting may offset the intense chocolate of the cake layers themselves, but chocolate lovers may want an extra dose of the good stuff. Use chocolate frosting to satisfy the craving for extra chocolate.
5. Know that buttercream frosting provides a decadent, rich and sweet exterior to your Black Forest cake. This kind of frosting retains the dairy richness of whipped cream while combining it with the weight and flavor of sugar; together, buttercream frosting makes this a cake to remember.
6. Decorate the outside with cherries (fresh, canned or maraschino) once your cake is frosted. If using canned cherries, drain thoroughly before using as the liquid, though tasty, may cause the frosting to run. Cherries can run around the top of the cake and along the bottom, or a random and artful sprinkle may suit your aesthetic. Finish it off with a toss of chocolate shavings and your cake is ready to impress.
Tags: Black Forest, whipped cream, Black Forest cake, Forest cake, buttercream frosting
